Trainer – Business Development and Life Skills Training of Trainers (ToT)

1. Background:

Since the beginning of the war in 2011, Caritas Syria (CS) has been very actively supporting people in need. Through its various projects, CS has offered different kinds of aid mainly in the sectors of food and basic assistance, education, elderlies support, psycho-social support for children, and shelter, as the war has deprived most Syrians of any source of income.

In response to the earthquake, CS initiated intervention efforts in the affected location from the first day after the crisis by distributing food baskets and essential emergency items to the affected population. Additionally, CS developed a special project for protection and education support interventions.

In order to support the self-reliance of vulnerable households affected by the earthquake in Syria, Caritas has developed a livelihoods project that aims at supporting vulnerable households (HHs) move from reliance on basic assistance towards resilient and sustainable livelihoods. The project targets IDPs, host, and other conflict-affected communities in Aleppo and Lattakia with tailored assistance to distinct beneficiary categories that are differentiated along vulnerability criteria on the one hand, and eligibility criteria to receive livelihood support on the other.

2. Objectives:

The primary objective of the trainings is to enhance the capacity of project coaches to deliver effective business development, and life skills training to project recipients. The training should cover the following areas:

a.) Presentation and public speaking skills:

• Presentation techniques and public speaking skills.
• Use of visual aids and effective storytelling.
• Engaging and persuasive presentations.

b.) Business Development:

• Identification and development of business ideas.
• Feasibility assessment of business ideas.
• Drafting business proposals and plans.
• Growth strategies for businesses (e.g., vision, strategy, goals, time management, resource requirements).
• Market analysis and identification of market opportunities.
• Marketing fundamentals, tools, and strategies (e.g., client profiling, market research, branding, social media plan).
• Market linkages and establishing connections with potential buyers.
• Innovation and competitiveness in the local market.
• Basic Financial Management:
• Budgeting and cash flow management.
• Financial planning for business operations.
• Pricing strategies and profitability analysis.
• Bookkeeping and record-keeping.

c.) Life Skills:

• Communication skills.
• Negotiation Skills: (Negotiation techniques and strategies, Effective communication in negotiation, Contract and partnership negotiations)
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Problem-solving and decision-making and goal setting.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Stress management and resilience.
• Adaptability and cultural sensitivity.

d.) Coaching and Mentoring skills:

• Method of following up and mentoring recipients.
• dealing with the problems that arise later in the recipient’s enterprise.

3. Scope of Work:

• Develop a comprehensive training curriculum and materials (including business plan) covering the above-mentioned areas. The curriculum should include theoretical content, practical exercises, case studies, interactive learning methods, and specific life skills activities.
• Conduct two Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops (one in Aleppo and one in Lattakia) to train the identified coaches focusing on effective training techniques, facilitation skills, and adult learning principles.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and support to the coaches as they deliver the training to the project recipients. This can be in the form of regular check-ins, feedback sessions, troubleshooting assistance, and guidance on incorporating life skills activities.
• Monitor the progress and effectiveness of the training delivered by the coaches and provide guidance for improvement where necessary. This includes assessing the integration and impact of life skills activities.

4. Each training should be divided into the following phases:

• Phase 1: Training on business development and life skills. (50h)
• Phase 2: Trainees should present the same training sessions to their peers and review the business plans prepared by them. (50h)
• Phase 3: Follow up with the team at the first step of the implementation, with the first list of beneficiaries (50h)

5. Deliverables:

• Training curriculum and materials (including business plan) tailored to the specific requirements of the project, including the integration of life skills activities.
• Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop report, including an overview of the training conducted, feedback received, and recommendations for improvement.
• Ongoing mentoring and support documentation, including records of check-ins, feedback sessions, troubleshooting assistance, and guidance on incorporating life skills activities.
• Monitoring and evaluation reports on the progress and effectiveness of the training delivered by the coaches, including the integration and impact of life skills activities.

6. Timeframe:

• The estimated total number of working hours for this assignment is 300 hours (150h in Aleppo and 150h in Lattakia).
• The trainer should propose a detailed timeline and schedule of activities in their application.
• The trainings should take place at the beginning of February 2024.

7. Qualifications and Requirements:

• Relevant educational background or certifications in business development, entrepreneurship, training, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in delivering business development, entrepreneurship, and life skills trainings, preferably in a similar context or with vulnerable populations.
• Strong facilitation and training skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse groups of learners.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and interactive training methodologies.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills.
• Permit to work in Syria
• Fluency in Arabic